In an e-mail to The Journal, Dethier included this Web link to his blog, "Eighteen in America." The link highlights the young golfer's experience in Flint, where he played at the city's Swartz Creek golf course.

In part of the post, Dethier said a man who identified himself as a former Flint firefighter gave him this advise:

"Be careful around here. Keep your wits about you. I was a firemen in this city for 27 years, and it's as bad now as ever. If I were you, I'd play this course and then get the hell out of Flint by the time it gets dark."

The story says Dethier is seeing and experiencing a bit of everything America has to offer through his goal of playing a round of golf in each of the lower 48 states. He's scheduled to finish the trek in late May after starting Sept. 1.